Need storage ideas for toys!

[hillview]

I am being over run. I have looked at LON, PBK, Ikea, and the container store as well as Via Toy Box. Any other ideas. I am looking for a unit to store baskets of legos, blocks, cars etc.
TIA!
/hillary

[SnuggleBuggles]

For Legos, I just bought a tall bookcase and put bins of Legos on the shelves. With the exception of one shelf the rest are covered in either completed Lego sets ds doesn't want to take apart or storage boxes of Legos (all sorted by color). Nothing exciting but very practical for our massive collection.

For cars and other things I have the chalkboard DYR bins from Target that fit into this bookcase that I also have (I have a smaller version, in natural wood):
http://www.target.com/Do-Your-Room-Bookcase-White/dp/B000ES5VWK/ref=sr_1_42?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&searchView=grid5&pf_rd_r=0T51T34KYX10WWTPMAG8&node=1038576&pf_rd_s=center-3&field_browse=1038576&searchSize=150&pf_rd_t=301&field_availability=-2&id=Do%20Your%20Room%20Bookcase%20White&refinementHistory=subjectbin%2Ctarget_com_age%2Cta rget_com_gender-bin%2Ctarget_com_character-bin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&searchKeywords=dyr&pf_rd_p=489944911&searchNodeID=1038576&pf_rd_i=0&field_launch-date=-1y&searchRank=relevancerank&searchPage=1&pf_rd_m=A1VC38T7YXB528&field_keywords=dyr

Looks like they don't have much online but they still have them in the store.

I have 2 of the large chalkboard bins for our big block collections.

ANother poster (brittone) said recently that they had a pull out drawer made for under the bed that now houses Legos and blocks. I think that sounds like agreat idea!

Beth

[alirebco]

We have the 2x4 Ikea Expedit with baskets in the bottom cubes - one for blocks, one for puzzles, one for trains, and one for misc. Works great!

Here's a pic

[brittone2]

This is the blog that gave us the idea for the trundle (eta: my dad made it with DS). Ours is totally not fancy...no wheels or anything. Basically just a big tray that slides on the carpet. If you had hardwood you could do small casters I guess so it would roll.

http://sugarboot.blogspot.com/2007/10/lego-dreams.html

[randomkid]

We have 2 of these in DD's room - a 9 cube and a 6 cube that fits under her window http://www.target.com/Closetmaid-9-Cube-Organizer-Alder/dp/B001UTTZEW/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&searchView=grid5&pf_rd_r=1TKNQ912YBNC78WY988F&node=1038576&pf_rd_s=center-3&field_browse=1038576&searchSize=30&pf_rd_t=301&field_availability=-2&id=Closetmaid%209%20Cube%20Organizer%20Alder&refinementHistory=subjectbin%2Ctarget_com_age%2Cta rget_com_gender-bin%2Ctarget_com_character-bin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&searchKeywords=cube%20storage&pf_rd_p=490276211&searchNodeID=1038576&pf_rd_i=0&field_launch-date=-1y&searchRank=relevancerank&searchPage=1&pf_rd_m=A1VC38T7YXB528&field_keywords=cube%20storage You use cloth storage boxes (that come in a variety of colors) in them like this http://www.target.com/Closetmaid-Fabric-Drawers-2-pk-Green/dp/B001UU0M8O/ref=sc_ri_1?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_r=11Y91DWE2C51NJ1023GR&pf_rd_p=481695491&pf_rd_i=B001UTTZEW&pf_rd_s=bottom-11&pf_rd_m=A1VC38T7YXB528&pf_rd_t=201 I only have boxes/drawers in some of the openings because I like to use the others for bulky toys. These are perfect for small and medium sized toys. You could put boxes in every opening if you choose to, I suppose. The link is to the color we have, but they also have a nice espresso color now.

I've been really happy with it. These often go on sale at Target as do the boxes which come 2 in a pack.

[kayte]

We have two of these in the playroom from IKEA. I think they look a little more finished than the Expedit.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90111027

We have angled baskets from Michael's in several of the cubes. The baskets fit perfectly and DD can see into them.(they house blocks, duplos, legos, playsilks) We have books in lots of the cubbies and then some other stand alone toys.

[Tondi G]

we have two 3 drawers sterilite cart things for my boys legos.... and a number of smaller rubbermaid containers to help organize them (one for people, one for wheels, etc). They work very well for us!

http://www.sterilite.com/Category.html?Section=Storage&ProductCategory=151

[kijip]

We have this for T in his 1/2 of the closet and am looking to get one like it off Craigslist for F and his 1/2 of the closet:

http://www.target.com/Tot-Tutors-Deluxe-Wood-Organizer/dp/B000067PTO/ref=br_1_4?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=13363321&node=13363321&searchRank=pmrank&searchPage=1&searchSize=30&id=Tot%20Tutors%20Deluxe%20Wood%20Organizer

It's gone from age 3 to age 6 well, suitable for all different sorts of things as he has grown. Used to be a lot of trains and play food, musical instruments and now it is mostly legos, 1 bin with cars and 1 bin with journals/workbooks/BrainQuest Cards. Makes it easy to get at just what he is looking for and makes pick up/sorting simple.

[inmypjs]

I did a lot of searching on this board before deciding on Ikea's Expedit. We have 2 of the 4x4 - 1 in our finished basement and 1 in DS's room. I couldn't be happier. We have some Branas baskets to go in them, and also some white sterlite bins that have small circular holes in them. I found those at Walmart. For the price I think Expedit can't be beat!

[AnnieW625]

We love our Ikea Trofast system! I can't say enough good things about it! We don't have the same combination of drawers though, we have one big one in the large compartment with one medium and one small, then in the med. we have two med. ones, and in the small area, two small ones.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/range/10389/12018/

[infomama]

we went for the 5x5 Expedit. The bottom 2 shelves are toys (we used a combo of wicker Ikea baskets and the fabric Target bins we had already purchased). I can not tell you how much stuff this thing holds and it looks wonderful/neat. So glad I made this purchase as our play room was just a mess.

[Twoboos]

Since you're in New England... If you are near an Ocean State Job Lot, get there asap!! They have closeout closetmaid cubes (under the name Cube-ical) for $25 instead of $50 at Target. I got 2 2x4's and 2 3x3's. There are other storage items, too.

http://www.oceanstatejoblot.com/promo/AdPages.aspx?AdPage=11

I had to go back multiple times before they had what I wanted but I feel like I hit the jackpot!! Even though the place is always so dirty, I am starting to love it there and seem to find a reason to go each week. :ROTFLMAO: I usually get Bob's Redmill items, 24 Polar brand fuzzy waters for $5, and those Snap Pea Crisps for I think $1.50 or so.

[SnuggleBuggles]

We have the 2x4 Ikea Expedit with baskets in the bottom cubes - one for blocks, one for puzzles, one for trains, and one for misc. Works great!

Here's a pic

Is that your house? I love the paint color! :)

Beth

[alirebco]

Is that your house? I love the paint color! :)

Beth

Thanks! That's one of my favorite colors in our house.

[wendibird22]

We love our Ikea Trofast system! I can't say enough good things about it! We don't have the same combination of drawers though, we have one big one in the large compartment with one medium and one small, then in the med. we have two med. ones, and in the small area, two small ones.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/range/10389/12018/

Ditto. We love, love, love our Trofast. The smallest size bin is perfect for the little toys, art supplies like paper, coloring books, crayons, flat/board puzzles. The medium size holds DDs mega blocks and foam blocks (a complete set of 100 blocks fits with room to spare), little people, small vehicles, and assorted medium sized toys. The largest size holds balls, larger vehicles, and chunkier toys. It is so easy for DD to pull out a bin and pick up and put away when she's done and it keeps the clutter way way down. We have 2 of the 3 step style placed side by side. They are very very sturdy and DH has an easy time assembling them. Definitely a great value.

[dorotamon]

Hi,
I just love the look of your Expedit shelf. I was thinking about the same solution, where did you get the baskets? I am going to have the shelf in DS room but I have to also replace all his furnitue (right now is light wood), can you on anyone recommend what coordinates well with Expedit? I am thinking about the dresser, bed and a little table/chair set. Please help!!

Thank you
dorotamon

[dorotamon]

Sorry, this is my first post ever :ROTFLMAO:

[KpbS]

We have this for T in his 1/2 of the closet and am looking to get one like it off Craigslist for F and his 1/2 of the closet:

http://www.target.com/Tot-Tutors-Deluxe-Wood-Organizer/dp/B000067PTO/ref=br_1_4?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=13363321&node=13363321&searchRank=pmrank&searchPage=1&searchSize=30&id=Tot%20Tutors%20Deluxe%20Wood%20Organizer

It's gone from age 3 to age 6 well, suitable for all different sorts of things as he has grown. Used to be a lot of trains and play food, musical instruments and now it is mostly legos, 1 bin with cars and 1 bin with journals/workbooks/BrainQuest Cards. Makes it easy to get at just what he is looking for and makes pick up/sorting simple.

We have these too in DS1's room and in the playroom. But our bins are more muted colors--green, red, blue, navy. They have been great--I highly recommend them. We store cars, playmobil pieces, puzzles, etc.

[MrsZaz]

I love it to! Do you mind sharing what the color is?

Thanks

Colleen

[alirebco]

Hi,
I just love the look of your Expedit shelf. I was thinking about the same solution, where did you get the baskets? I am going to have the shelf in DS room but I have to also replace all his furnitue (right now is light wood), can you on anyone recommend what coordinates well with Expedit? I am thinking about the dresser, bed and a little table/chair set. Please help!!

Thank you
dorotamon

The baskets are also from Ikea. They're more expensive than the plastic ones but they look a lot nicer. Here's the link to them:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20110540

[dorotamon]

The baskets are also from Ikea. They're more expensive than the plastic ones but they look a lot nicer. Here's the link to them:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20110540

Thank you for the link!

[essnce629]

For Legos, I just bought a tall bookcase and put bins of Legos on the shelves. With the exception of one shelf the rest are covered in either completed Lego sets ds doesn't want to take apart or storage boxes of Legos (all sorted by color). Nothing exciting but very practical for our massive collection.


Beth, do you think you could post a picture of your Lego storage? My son's Legos have taken over our entire Nilo table and it looks really messy. How many different storage boxes do you have that are different colors?

[kijip]

We have the 2x4 Ikea Expedit with baskets in the bottom cubes - one for blocks, one for puzzles, one for trains, and one for misc. Works great!

Here's a pic

Are those baskets sold at IKEA? I need some for my Expedit and those are some of the only ones I have seen that I like. I am not a basket person. :)

ETA: DUH, I just saw your link. Off to get some myself soon! Thanks!

[essnce629]

We have the Expedit units as well. One big 5x5 one and two 2x4 ones. I love them!